Let's Talk About Sex, Baby....

Read this first:

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/planned-parenthood-speaker-good-parents-let-teens-have-sex-at-home

I am sure there are many different opinions on an article like this, and I felt that I needed to share mine.  My first thought was "surely this woman did not come and advise all parents to let their teens have sex in their homes...." I get the feeling that this was taken way out of context to sensationalize the story.

I will take a stab at the message I think the speaker was trying to get across: the more parents speak openly about sex and sexuality with their teens, the better off both parties will be.  The research on sex education (yes, bear with me....) shows that comprehensive sex education (meaning everything is discussed--anatomy, consequences, contraceptives...) is the most beneficial type, versus abstinance-only sex education or, more commonly, NO sex education. If children are not aware of the consequences and dont learn how to have safe sex, how can we expect them to know any better?  Then we can add on top of that the "lure" of something "taboo" to make it all the more appealing.

I think we are all apt to agree the Europe has a more healthy relationship with alcohol because of the very open way in which it is used.  Children drink wine for special occasions and learn that it is something to be savored and enjoyed, not abused, from a very early age.  Incidentally, their rates of alcoholism are much lower than ours.  I think the speaker was trying to say that the same could be applied when it came to sex.  The more we talk about it, the better off everyone will be.

Planned Parenthood is not out to corrupt our society and convince everyone that the consequences of unprotected sex are easily reversed.  In fact, PP's ultimate goal, as I see it, is the opposite.  PP provides contraceptives, sex education, routine check-ups, and, yes, abortions.  PP also offers these services for cheap, or free, which targets lower-income girls who have no other options and may not get care otherwise.  But, go to most OB/GYNs in the country and you can get all of these things as well...yet these doctors are not getting slammed for "promoting" sex--safe or unsafe.

Like with most social issues, I think it is best we are all informed before we take a side.  I dont think this is going to be resolved anytime soon, with the upcoming election and the huge focus on abortion, contraceptives, health care, and so on. Take a side--after all, that is what our country was built on--just make sure you're informed when you do.  I think we can all figure out which one I am on.